GB2190335A - Manual axle lifter - Google Patents

Abstract

A manual axle lifter, as typically indicated in Fig. 1 is used to enable a vehicle to be used in partly laden or unladen conditions with some wheels being clear of the ground. The manual axle lifter comprises a body 1 securely connected directly or indirectly to the chassis of the vehicle, a slider 2 moved via gearing by operating shaft 3. The slider 2 operates on flexible link or links 6 causing the required movement of axle 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Manual axle lifter This invention relates to manual raising and lowering to a vehicle axle.

Heavy goods vehicles have several axles which are required for carrying their load.

However when partly loaded or unladen, one or more axles may be lifted, enabling some wheels to be raised clear of the ground to gain several operational advantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a device mounted on a vehicle capable to raising and lowering a vehicle axle by manual means only.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by the way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows in perspective, one gear and screw system mounted horizontally at right angle to the axle.

Figure 2 Shows a top view of the same system.

Figure 3 Shows a side view of a typical alternative arrangement of the system.

The body 1 is held securely to the vehicle chassis either directly or via a suitable subframe as is pulley 9 in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the sliding member 2 is moved outwards from the body 1 via an internal screw thread and suitable gearing by turning the operating shaft 3. As sliding member 2 moves outwards, it pulls the axle 7 upwards by means of 2 lengths of chain 6 and suitable guides 5.

Variations may be necessary as follows in order to acheive a partical installation in individual cases.

Chain 6 replaced by rope, cord or strap ii Guide 5 replaced by pulley or bell-crank iii Main units 1, 2 and 3 mounted on the vehicle other than directly above the axle with linkages 8, guides and pulleys 9 to transfer the mechanical effort to acheive the same result, a typical system being illustrated in Fig.

3.

1. A device mounted on a vehicle capable of raising and lowering a vehicle axle by manual means only.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 where the required mechanical advantage is obtained by means of levers, gearing or screw arrangements or combination thereof.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the lifting action is accomplished by a link which is rigid in tension and easily deformable in compresion 4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device may be mounted away from the immediate vicinity of the axle and additional guides, pulleys or rods or combination thereof used to transmit the required effort to the axle.

5. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Manual axle lifter This invention relates to manual raising and lowering to a vehicle axle. Heavy goods vehicles have several axles which are required for carrying their load. However when partly loaded or unladen, one or more axles may be lifted, enabling some wheels to be raised clear of the ground to gain several operational advantages. According to the present invention there is provided a device mounted on a vehicle capable to raising and lowering a vehicle axle by manual means only. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by the way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows in perspective, one gear and screw system mounted horizontally at right angle to the axle. Figure 2 Shows a top view of the same system. Figure 3 Shows a side view of a typical alternative arrangement of the system. The body 1 is held securely to the vehicle chassis either directly or via a suitable subframe as is pulley 9 in Fig. 3. Referring to the drawings, the sliding member 2 is moved outwards from the body 1 via an internal screw thread and suitable gearing by turning the operating shaft 3. As sliding member 2 moves outwards, it pulls the axle 7 upwards by means of 2 lengths of chain 6 and suitable guides 5. Variations may be necessary as follows in order to acheive a partical installation in individual cases. Chain 6 replaced by rope, cord or strap ii Guide 5 replaced by pulley or bell-crank iii Main units 1, 2 and 3 mounted on the vehicle other than directly above the axle with linkages 8, guides and pulleys 9 to transfer the mechanical effort to acheive the same result, a typical system being illustrated in Fig. 3. CLAIMS

1. A device mounted on a vehicle capable of raising and lowering a vehicle axle by manual means only.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 where the required mechanical advantage is obtained by means of levers, gearing or screw arrangements or combination thereof.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the lifting action is accomplished by a link which is rigid in tension and easily deformable in compresion

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device may be mounted away from the immediate vicinity of the axle and additional guides, pulleys or rods or combination thereof used to transmit the required effort to the axle.

5. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.